Decision on Falmouth Ocean Bowl Development Delayed

The decision on a controversial planning application near Falmouth docks has been postponed after Cornwall Council said the Ocean Bowl scheme was withdrawn from a recent committee agenda.

The proposal to build a 250-bed student accommodation scheme was due to go before the committee this week, but has been rescheduled so that council members could receive up to date information regarding student growth in Falmouth and Penryn.

The development has received strong criticism from local residents with around 200 objections having been submitted in relation to the plans. Despite the concerns, the application had been recommended for approval by planning officer Mark Ball, but subject to conditions.

According to Mr Ball: "The proposed development would provide purpose-built managed student accommodation on a previously developed site in a sustainable location that would help meet and therefore alleviate a pressing need for student accommodation and therefore reduce pressure on the existing housing stock of the town."

Mr Ball also argued the inclusion of a cafe/restaurant would complement Falmouth Docks Station, which currently doesn't provide any facilities to travellers, and therefore there is a public benefit to the scheme.

A spokesman for Cornwall Council confirmed that the delay is being enforced to provide members of the planning committee the change to receive a strategic briefing beforehand on the planning issues associated with accommodating student growth in Falmouth and Penryn. As a result of the delay the proposals will now be discussed at the next meeting of the central planning committee on November 21.